Our culture emphasizes teamwork and an unqualified commitment to excellence and is a key reason for our success. T&K was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017 among the most highly recognized law firms in the U.S.

Thompson & Knight is a growing Firm that recognizes the importance of hiring qualified lawyers, paralegals, and administrative professionals who can contribute to the growth of our practice and support our diverse client base. We are committed to the success of each employee and the impact they have on the future growth of Thompson & Knight.

Railroad

Thompson & Knight has long represented companies involved in the rail transportation and railroad heavy equipment industries. We have the business skill and industry knowledge to help these clients purchase and sell assets; finance facilities and infrastructure; resolve disputes over property damage, personal injury, and product liability; defend trademarks and other intellectual property; comply with environmental regulations; respond to accidents and emergencies; and manage labor relations. Our extensive experience in oil and gas interstate pipeline operations augments our representation of railroad industry clients, as companies in both industries face similar litigation, environmental and other regulatory, accident response, and corporate issues.

We advise clients on the rules and regulations of the Railroad Commission of Texas and are well-versed in the Federal Employer's Liability Act and Federal Railway Administration regulations regarding workplace safety. Our attorneys have done considerable work for clients regarding OSHA/MSHA regulations, including a comparative analysis of how these standards interact with federal and state regulations. We also assist industry clients with regulations regarding the handling and transporting of hazardous materials, offer experienced on-the-scene emergency help with regulatory notification and response if accidents occur, and handle any disputes resulting from accidents, including toxic tort claims. Our attorneys also help railroad industry clients with real property acquisitions by purchase and condemnation, assisting with the related debt and equity financing, risk management, and compliance issues.

Environmental regulatory compliance is a crucial industry concern, and as such our attorneys routinely assist clients with federal, state, and local environmental regulations as they apply to transportation operations, placing special emphasis on preventive counseling and environmental audits. We help our clients conform to air quality, water quality, solid and hazardous waste disposal, energy recovery, toxic substances, hazardous materials, underground storage, and community right-to-know regulations, and are also familiar with such international environmental standards as ISO 14001.

Practice Contacts

Experience

When one of our railroad clients purchased a short line railroad with operations in three states, we handled all of the environmental and real property work, including the assessment and evaluation of a creosote wood treatment facility owned by the acquired railroad.

We represented a railroad management company regarding legislation related to private property rights and railroad rights-of-way.

We represented a developer in a qualified subdivision hearing with the Texas Railroad Commission to designate drill sites on a property.

We represent a major railroad in numerous transactions relating to the licensing of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights.

For many years, we have represented an original equipment manufacturer of railroad car wheels, brakes, and brake shoes in toxic tort and product liability claims.

We prevailed at trial and on appeal in two multi-plaintiff ERISA actions against a major railroad.

We represented an issuer in the securitization of railroad license agreements in the amount of $32 million.

We helped the railroad subsidiary of one of our heavy industry clients regarding environmental issues arising from rail system maintenance and operation.

We represent major oil companies and independent producers in contested and uncontested matters before the Railroad Commission of Texas

We counseled a principal U.S. railroad company regarding the Railway Labor Act.